On Angel Wings

HE PLAYS A TUNE

There he is!

There's Grandfather Amos keeping his vigil.

-Not far now!

-I'm going to run on ahead!

No, you're not, Rachel!

A wolf might snaffle you up. Gulp!

Blood and guts all over the place!

There aren't any wolves these days!

Rachel, it would be just like you

to run slap-bang into the last one left!

Yeah, you're always getting into scrapes.

You really are a pain to look after!

No, I'm not!

Just because I'm the youngest. It's not fair!

Look, Rachel, we're the oldest so you've got to do what we tell you.

Well, all right. Can we go on now?

Last one there's a donkey! Hee-haw! Hee-haw!

Wait! Wait for me! Wait for me!

Wait!

Keep up, Donkey Girl!

Wait!

DOG GROWLS

What is it, old friend?

-Are they coming?

-Grandad! >

DOG BARKS

BARKING

-Grandad!

-HE CHUCKLES

-Grandad!

-Here we are, Grandad!

Welcome! Welcome! Blessings on us all.

Rachel, you've walked all the way from the village to

visit your old grandfather!

And we would have been here sooner without her dragging behind!

No, you wouldn't, Abner!

Well, I, for one, am glad she came.

Now! Let's unpack this food. I'm hungry!

THEY GIGGLE

Mmm, very good!

Why wouldn't it be?

Your mother learned to cook from your grandmother, God rest her soul.

Grandad, I baked this especially for you!

THEY LAUGH

Rachel, you were only helping Mother.

You didn't make that yourself.

I did, Grandad. I made it all on my own. Really, I did.

HE INHALES

Grandad?

Mmm? Oh, it's nothing.

-You...you remind me of someone, that's all.

-Do I?

Yes, someone I knew a long time ago, when I was a boy.

He was the youngest, like you, always getting in the way,

struggling to do things better, fighting to be believed in and...

Who was he, Grandad?

He...

was me.

You, Grandfather?

Yes, me. Amos!

And that small boy is the reason why I've kept my vigil

all down the years.

Why, Grandfather, what happened to him? I mean, you?

Hmm... I've a mind to tell you a story,

one that I've never told another soul before.

Ah, but you don't want to hear an old man prattling on.

Yes, we do!

-Tell us, Grandfather.

-Please, tell it, Grandfather.

-We want to hear!

Very well. But don't interrupt or I shall lose my thread.

I used to think that the stars were made of sparks that

went up and up and froze in the heavens forever.

Look at them. Aren't they just beautiful?

Now, on the night I'm going to tell you about, a mysterious star

appeared that no-one had ever seen before.

But I'm getting ahead of my story. Where to begin?

Ah, yes!

So, there I was, an eager young boy, camped out on this very spot,

'with the other shepherds. My father, my older brothers

'and my uncle Zac.'

So that's seven lambs and the sickly one,

and two more to come.

DOG BARKS

'My dog knew there was something lurking in the darkness

'beyond the fire, and he was making a fuss.'

And we haven't lost one since we came up here.

-With luck, we...

-BARKING

What in the name of Jerusalem is wrong with that dog?

It's Amos's, that's what's wrong with it.

Says you, Reuben! He's a good dog, Father, I'm training him up!

DOG BARKS

THEY LAUGH

He can smell a jackal across the valley.

There's one out there now. Look at him, he knows it!

DOG BARKS

He knows something the others don't, then.

They're not making a fuss, are they?

So just settle him down, there's a good lad.

Aren't we even going to look and see?

Amos, all our sheep are safe here with us,

but if you're so worried, why don't you go and take a look?

Cos he's afraid of the dark, that's why!

No, I'm not!

Leave him be, Reuben!

Amos, you can't be a shepherd and be afraid of the dark.

If you think there's something out there then do what Zac says,

otherwise shut up and sit down.

DOG BARKS

Well, all right. I will, then!

And don't end up as a jackal's dinner,

Mother will make no end of a fuss!

THEY LAUGH

DOG BARKS

Wait for me!

Whoa! Oof! Stupid rock!

Oh, no, my torch!

HE BLOWS

BARKING

DOG BARKS

What is it, boy? What can you see?

BLEATING

LAMB BLEATS

That's one of our lambs.

It must have strayed.

Well done, boy!

THEY SNARL

Jackals! One, two, three of them!

What am I going to do?

LAMB BLEATS

IT GROWLS AND BARKS

BARKING

HE GASPS

LAMB BLEATS

Don't do that!

Let go of him!

That's OUR lamb! Leave him alone, you...you...

Get away!

-Amos! Amos, where are you?

-Hold on, boy!

LAMB BLEATS

What's happening, Amos?

Where did you find that lamb, son?

Father!

It strayed and we found it but there were jackals, lots of jackals.

Well, three, anyway. And my dog and me...

Jackals? Where, Amos? I don't see any jackals.

That's because he chased them away before you go here!

Before we got here? Oh, that's very convenient.

Sure you didn't imagine them, Amos?

Look, Reuben, that boulder over there really looks like a jackal!

Yeah, if you squint your eyes like this!

THEY LAUGH

That's enough, you two. Come on, back to camp.

Amos, we'll talk about storytelling in the morning.

Bring the lamb.

LAMB BLEATS

You're shivering!

Are you cold?

Whoa!

What are you doing, boy? Wasting fuel like that!

I only put a few sticks on it, uncle!

What're you trying to do, Amos, set fire to the clouds?

If you... What's happening now?

The moon's disappearing!

And look, look at that!

What is that?

It's... I don't know what it is!

BARKING

HE GASPS

I'm sorry to drop in on you unexpectedly like this.

It must be an awful shock.

It's not every night that angels come visiting, I know...

Angels? Are you really an angel?

I am.

My name is Gabriel.

Are you really real?

Or are you a dream?

No dream. What I am is real, and what I've come to tell you is true.

This very night a child has been born,

a Saviour who will bring peace and goodwill to the whole world.

This Child King is lying in a manger, in a stable in Bethlehem.

Ah, I can see that you don't quite believe me, do you?

Well, I mean... In a stable?

We're not stupid. Kings are born in palaces.

Not this King! He will reign in humility as well as glory.

But, why us, then? Why are you telling us?

Because you are shepherds, and one day he too will be a shepherd,

but a shepherd not of sheep, but of mankind.

Well, he doesn't sound like a king to me.

Look, Bethlehem isn't far away. You could go and see for yourselves.

Seeing is believing, after all.

Let's do it, Father! Let's go and see!

But, for a start, there are lots of stables in Bethlehem.

How will we know which is the right one?

That's simple.

When I'm gone, look for a star moving in the eastern sky.

Follow it and where it stops, there's the stable.

So, are you going?

Yes! Let's go!

What's your name, lad?

Amos, sir.

You're keen as mustard, Amos. I like that.

Remember, just follow the star!

Where...where have they gone?

It doesn't matter! Come on, let's go and see the new King!

Wait now! Let's not be hasty!

Did what I think just happened really just happen?

-They didn't even leave us a sign to be sure.

-But...

Well, I don't like it.

It could be some sort of a trick to get us to leave our sheep.

No! No. Look up there in the east. That star!

It's moving!

See, that's just what the angel said would happen!

Well, then, my boys, we'd better go to Bethlehem and have a look-see.

Hooray!

Wait! We can't just go and leave the sheep unguarded.

-Well, I'm not staying!

-Me neither!

Nor am I.

Amos, you can look after the flock.

What? Me? I want to see the King, too!

Don't leave me behind!

He's scared of the dark. He's a scaredy-cat.

We'll leave you the dogs, son.

Bethlehem's just over the hill. We'll be back before dawn.

It's just because I'm the youngest, isn't it? It's not fair!

Now, now. We'll tell you all about the King when we get back.

Promise. Just keep the fire going, you'll be quite safe. Bye now.

You'd better keep away, jackals! I've got fire and dogs here!

They'll tear you to pieces if you come to get our sheep!

THEY BARK

Whoa! No, don't get up! Lie down, lie down!

Stupid sheep! Lie down!

Oof!

BARKING

Are you there, angels? See what you've done!

They've gone to see your new King and left me behind!

So, what do you want me to do?

HE GASPS

You're angry with me, Amos.

Well, it's not fair, is it?

You didn't tell them to take me with them, did you?

Well, I can't be expected to think of everything.

But you're an angel!

Hm, fair point.

Suppose... Suppose I fly you to Bethlehem to see the child.

You could fly me there?

You could really do that?

Of course! These aren't for show, you know!

We could be there and back, lickety-split,

-and no-one would ever know you'd been gone.

-Wow!

BLEATING

HE SIGHS

The sheep. I can't leave the sheep unguarded, can I?

TING!

Satisfied?

Climb on, then. We'd better be quick about it.

You don't need to bring that stick with you.

It's not a stick, it's a crook.

Shepherds always take their crooks with them, wherever they go.

Fine, fine.

Try not to poke it in my ear, there's a good lad.

-Now, hold on tight. Don't let go whatever you do!

-Woo-hoo!

Comfortable? How do you like flying?

It's the best thing ever!

Look!

AMOS GIGGLES

Don't wriggle about so much, Amos, there's a good boy.

You're upsetting my balance.

Sorry.

Just relax and enjoy it.

Not feeling sick at all?

No, I'm feeling fine.

That's a relief, anyway. It can be messy.

Look, that must be Bethlehem.

Not long now.

This King we're going to see...

Yes?

This new King, why has he come? I mean, why now?

And what's he going to do that's so important?

Hm. That's a good question, Amos, it deserves an answer.

Hold on tight now. Ready?

Yes. Whoa!

That was amazing!

I know. It's showing off, really - my silly pride!

-Where are we going to now?

-You'll see!

Oh, help!

What's happening?

Don't panic, you're perfectly safe.

Whoa!

-Where are we?

-It's called the firmament,

but there's something special I want you to see.

Look, down there.

What's that? It's...beautiful.

It's the Earth, of course. Your home.

What? But it isn't flat. We couldn't live on that. We'd all fall off!

Actually, there's something called gravity that stops that happening

-but that's not the point...

-And it's so small!

Well, it looks small from here.

What's more to the point is that it's a wonderful world,

packed full of amazing, precious things, but it's so fragile!

Really?

And the people!

Too many are greedy, thoughtless, selfish.

Really, I do despair of humankind sometimes.

But that isn't fair. People are kind and caring too!

Of course!

But, one way of another, they are making a miss of things.

Don't you think? They need to be shown a better way of living.

So, that's what the new King has come to do?

Exactly!

That's what he's come to do. You'll see.

Now, let's go. It's time you met him.

That's the one. In you go.

Don't be nervous. They won't bite!

WOMAN HUMS A TUNE

We're over here, past the sheep.

Careful you don't tread on them.

Come closer. Don't be shy.

He's wide awake.

BABY GURGLES

He's very awake for a newborn baby, isn't he?

He's a regular nosy parker! Watches everything that's going on.

COW MOOS

HE GIGGLES

He loves the animals in here.

ANIMALS BLEAT AND MOO

Something bothering you, boy?

It's just that, well, I was told that he's the new King

but this isn't a palace, is it?

-HE CHUCKLES

-Someone's been pulling your leg, boy!

There's no kings here, just us, come to Bethlehem for the census!

We're only in here because all the inns were full,

but the beasts keep it warm

and his manger's full of soft hay for a cradle.

He has all he needs,

and now he has his first visitor.

HE GIGGLES

He's very strong, isn't he?

He likes you.

Would you like to hold him for a while?

What's he called?

Jesus. We're calling him Jesus.

That's a good name.

Hello, Jesus.

My name is Amos.

JESUS GURGLES

MARY HUMS A TUNE

You're very easy to hold, Jesus.

Not like lambs. They wriggle about so much it's hard not to drop them.

JESUS YAWNS

THEY CHUCKLE

We've enjoyed meeting you, Amos, but now it's time for his sleep.

I have to go, too. Someone's waiting for me.

Thank you for letting me see Jesus.

Thank you for coming, Amos.

There may be more visitors tonight but you were the first.

We shan't forget you.

I would like to give him a present, but this is all I have.

My father made it for me.

Your father was a right, true craftsman, Amos.

My son will have no finer gift than this.

When Jesus grows up, he'll be a carpenter, like me.

He will treasure this staff.

Oh, no, when Jesus grows up, he's going to be a shepherd!

Well, well! First kings, now shepherds.

You need to make your mind up, boy!

Goodbye now, Amos.

Goodbye. And thank you.

No need to speak.

I can see from your face you were impressed.

Keep an eye on him, Amos. He's going to do great things.

Now, time we were off.

This is the place, boys.

There's a light at the back.

Sh!

THEY CHUCKLE

Here we are again.

As I promised, no-one will know you've ever been gone.

Thank you. I'll never forget tonight.

I should hope not! Well, busy, busy, things to do.

-You will be all right now, I suppose?

-Oh, yes!

Shepherds shouldn't be afraid of the dark.

And I've got the dogs, and the fire.

That's the spirit! Well, goodbye. I don't suppose we'll meet again.

Before you go, can I ask you one more question?

What a boy you are for questions!

You must drive your family to distraction.

Well, what is it?

What I still don't understand is, well,

how will Jesus bring peace to the world if the other kings can't?

How will he do it?

That's another good question, Amos.

How shall I answer?

Love. He will bring us love, and through love...

..we will at last have peace and goodwill on Earth.

And then what happened, Grandad?

That was all!

No goodbyes or anything, they just went in a blaze of light

and amidst such joyful singing that my heart almost burst.

Oh, Grandad, how wonderful!

And then the others came back from Bethlehem?

Oh, yes, they came back all right!

Full of everything and very pleased with themselves.

They'd followed the star to the stable and seen the baby.

But Jesus was asleep all the time they were there.

THEY LAUGH

And you held him and talked to him!

I did, too.

And do you know Jesus carried my crook with him all his life,

right to the end?

But what did they say when you told them what had happened?

Were they jealous?

I nearly told them. I was bursting to tell them but I didn't.

They would only have scoffed and accused me of storytelling,

like they always did, so I just kept quiet about it

and told no-one, until tonight.

You see, Rachel, you have to keep believing in yourself

even when no-one else does.

It's been a long time but I've never once doubted that

that wonderful night happened, and now I've told my story at last.

And it's the most wonderful, really real story I've ever heard!

But, it isn't true is it? It's just a story...

I may be old and a bit forgetful but I know that on this hill,

on that night, all those years ago, well,

I just wish there was some way to convince you, too.

THEY GASP

What!

It's happening again, Grandad! Just like you said!

Look!

It's morning!

And time to go back to our village.

We don't want to miss the celebrations!

Especially not the feast!

Certainly not the feast!

THEY LAUGH